Justin B. Terry-Smith has been involved in Gay and HIV Activism since 1999. He is a Air Force 9/11 Disabled Vet. Raised in Silver Spring, MD, he now lives in Severn, MD with his husband Phil. He writes an HIV/STI Advice Column for A&U Magazine and is a Contributing writer for thebody.com. He earned an AA in Communications, a BA in Political Science, Masters and Doctorate in Public Health with a concentration in Infectious Disease.

Justin's HIV Journal

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Justin's HIV Journal: Justin Goes Back to Basic Training

I was going through some old military things and came across a video of me in Basic Training of that was back in 1999 when I was just 19 years old. This was during the era of the policy of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”. Also since it is dated it was on a VHS tape. I thought to myself, “Wow I’ve grown a lot since then.” My foster used to express interest in the military. He said, “Dad I want to be a Marine”. Of course his father and I tried to persuade him to join the Air Force or the Army, since I’m prior Air Force and my husband is prior Army. After that discussion I think my foster son decided to change his mind about even going into the service, but who knows, he is a teenager and may change his mind later.

Looking at the tape I see myself as I was egotistical, stubborn, and so unfit for the military. I did so many things in the military that I got into trouble for. For example I got speeding on base and my driving privileges were revoked for about 60 days on base. I constantly woke up late for work because I was taking my medication for my thyroid disease. I had a mean supervisor at one point and she hounded me every chance she got until one day when I had cursed her out and got an Article 15 for it. I was raped while in the military and because of DADT I couldn’t tell anyone, because I feared of being kicked out dishonorably. I was a bad person I just wasn’t mature and even though basically my whole family is military I still didn’t have the discipline. But with the help of friends and those who I still call family I made it through. I was able to be discharged honorable with decorations and awards. I made three really good friends who I call my military brothers and we were all gay and I loved them and still talk to them to this day.
My joining the military I was able to take advantage of the Montgomery GI Bill (MGIBILL) and since I was active duty during 9/11 I am about to us the 9/11 MGIBILL. I earned my Associate’s in Communications & my Bachelor’s in Political Science with the MGBILL, now I’m going to earn my Master’s Degree in Public Health with it as well; I only have 7 more classes to go. Also I filed for disability because of my thyroid condition and I’m considered a 10% disabled 9/11 Veteran.

The Air Force taught me a lot and helped me a lot even through the rain, the dark and troubling I stuck in there. The military changed my life for the better; I had more resources than ever when I left the military. Now I’m thinking about going into the National Guard, my husband and I need to have that discussion later. I’m a 1st Lieutenant in the Maryland Defense Force right now and I love it. But we will see how this will pan out as far as me going into the National Guard.

The military isn’t for everyone, but for me personally I wanted to serve my country and also follow the footsteps of generations before me. My family history is that every War this country has been in my family was there to fight, yes I said every War and I wanted that tradition to live on in me and maybe in the generation after me. I just know that I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for the military. On a personal note I wanted to say Thank you and RIP to my friend Derrick Grigg for making the ultimate sacrifice while overseas, you will and always will be missed. This log is dedicated to you, brother.

Justin B Terry-Smith

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About Justin B Terry-Smith

My name is Justin B Terry-Smith, I'm a Black Gay man living in Laurel, Maryland and I am HIV+. I've decided to share my story because I feel it's important that people who have unprotected sex know what they might be getting themselves into. People have asked me why I am doing this, why have I put my personal business out like this. I tell them it is to help educate people, to make them aware and to make them think twice about having unprotected sex. This is my personal journey that needs to be told to help the community.
HIV is neither glamorous or a rite of passage. Watch the Journal and think twice.
In the words of Pedro Zamora, "I'm not dying. I'm living with it"